Resin composition and medical drug container using same

ABSTRACT

Provided is a resin composition comprising 50 to 80 wt % of a norbornene-based polymer, and 20 to 50 wt % of a hydrogenated styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer, a content of a low-molecular-weight component having a molecular weight of 1000 or less in the resin composition being 3 wt % or less, in which the hydrogenated styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer is an aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene block copolymer having a styrene content of 40 wt % or more, or a block copolymer that includes an aromatic vinyl compound-based polymer block and an isobutylene-based polymer block having a styrene content of 15 wt % or more. Also, a medical drug container that shows very low protein adsorption with the passage of time is produced using such a resin composition.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a resin composition, and a medicine container (drug container) that is formed using the resin composition, and shows low protein adsorption.

BACKGROUND ART

Patent Document 1 discloses a multilayer film that is formed using a cycloolefin-based resin as a material for producing a medicine container. Patent Document 1 is silent about the content of a low-molecular-weight component, and protein adsorption on the film. In Patent Document 1, the cycloolefin-based resin is used as a component of a barrier layer and an adhesive layer, and the innermost sealing layer that comes in contact with a medicine is formed using an olefin-based resin.

Patent Document 2 discloses a laminate film that can form a container (e.g., package (bag)) and includes a base layer and a sealant layer, and discloses that the sealant layer includes a polycycloolefin-based resin as a main component. Patent Document 2 discloses that the container suppresses a change in composition of the content and contamination of the content due to adsorption of a component of the content on the inner wall of the container, or elution of a low-molecular-weight component (e.g., residual monomer or multimer thereof) from the container to the content. However, Patent Document 2 is silent about a hydrogenated styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer that may be mixed with the polycycloolefin-based resin, the content of a low-molecular-weight component, and the like.

Patent Document 3 discloses that an alicyclic structure-containing polymer resin and a hydrogenated styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer (i.e., hydrogenated styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer) (soft polymer) may be mixed to prepare an alicyclic structure-containing polymer resin material that is used to produce a blow-molded container. However, Patent Document 3 does not disclose a specific example in which such a soft polymer is used. Patent Document 3 is silent about the content of a low-molecular-weight component.

Patent Document 4 discloses that an isobutylene-based block copolymer that includes a polymer block that mainly includes an aromatic vinyl compound, and a polymer block that mainly includes isobutylene, may be mixed with a cycloolefin-based copolymer to prepare a cycloolefin-based copolymer resin composition that exhibits transparency, impact resistance, and stress whitening resistance in a well-balanced manner. However, Patent Document 4 is silent about the content of a low-molecular-weight component.

Patent Document 5 discloses that a forming material that is prepared using pellets of a thermoplastic saturated norbornene-based polymer for which the content of a volatile component is reduced by drying the pellets, prevents occurrence of microvoids due to foaming during forming, and produces a film-like or sheet-like formed article that does not show a decrease in strength. However, Patent Document 5 is silent about using a hydrogenated styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer in combination with the thermoplastic saturated norbornene-based polymer.

Patent Document 6 discloses that an optical material that is formed of a resin composition that includes a thermoplastic saturated norbornene-based resin, and an additive that is immiscible with the thermoplastic saturated norbornene-based resin, and is dispersed in the thermoplastic saturated norbornene-based resin as minute microdomains, exhibits improved adhesion to a coating material and a film, and has excellent external appearance (e.g., excellent transparency). In Patent Document 6, the additive is used in an amount of 0.001 to 0.8 parts by weight (i.e., less than 1 part by weight) based on 100 parts by weight of the thermoplastic saturated norbornene-based resin. Patent Document 6 is silent about the content of a low-molecular-weight component.

RELATED-ART DOCUMENT Patent Document

-   Patent Document 1: JP-A-2009-056775 -   Patent Document 2: JP-A-2005-254508 -   Patent Document 3: JP-A-2000-154238 -   Patent Document 4: JP-A-201.2-097146 -   Patent Document 5; JP-A-3-223328 -   Patent Document 6: JP-A-5-247324

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Technical Problem

The inventors of the invention found that, when a medicine that includes a protein is put in a container that is formed of a resin composition that includes a norbornene-based polymer and a hydrogenated styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer having a styrene content of a specific value or more, the amount of protein adsorption on the container increases with the passage of time.

The inventors conducted extensive studies in order to reduce protein adsorption on a container that is formed of a resin composition that includes, in a specific ratio, a norbornene-based polymer and a hydrogenated styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer having a styrene content of a specific value or more. As a result, the inventors found that it is possible to remarkably suppress protein adsorption by utilizing a resin composition that includes a norbornene-based polymer and a hydrogenated styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer, the content of a low-molecular-weight component having a molecular weight of 1000 or less in the resin composition being 3 wt % or less. This finding has led to the completion of the invention.

Solution to Problem

According to one aspect of the invention, a resin composition as described in the following (1) to (5) and a medical drug container as described in the following (6) and (7) are provided.

-   (1) A resin composition includes 50 to 80 wt % of a norbomene-based     polymer, and 20 to 50 wt % of a hydrogenated styrene-based     thermoplastic elastomer, the content of a low-molecular-weight     component having a molecular weight of 1000 or less in the resin     composition being 3 wt /o or less, wherein

the hydrogenated styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer may be an aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene block copolymer having a styrene content of 40 wt % or more, or a block copolymer that includes an aromatic vinyl compound-based polymer block and an isobutylene-based polymer block having a styrene content of 15 wt % or more,

-   (2) In the resin composition according to (1), the norbornene-based     polymer may be a hydrogenated norbornene-based ring-opening polymer. -   (3) In the resin composition according to (1), the aromatic     vinyl-conjugated diene block copolymer having a styrene content of     40 wt % or more may be the hydrogenated styrene-based thermoplastic     elastomer of at least one hydrogenated styrene-based thermoplastic     elastomer selected from the group consisting of a     styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene block copolymer, a     styrene-ethylene/propylene-styrene block copolymer, a partially     hydrogenated styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene block copolymer, and     a styrene-(ethylene-ethylene/propylene)-styrene block copolymer,     which having a styrene content of 40 wt % or more. -   (4) In the resin composition according to (3), the aromatic     vinyl-conjugated diene block copolymer having a styrene content of     40 wt % or more may be a styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene block     copolymer having a styrene content of 40 wt % or more. -   (5) In the resin composition according to (1), the content of a     low-molecular-weight component having a molecular weight of 1000 or     less in the resin composition may have been adjusted to 3 wt % or     less using one method, or a plurality of methods, among (I)     evaporative removal of a low-molecular-weight component from the     norbornene-based polymer, (II) reprecipitation of the     norbornene-based polymer using a good solvent and a poor solvent,     and (III) preliminary drying of pellets before forming. -   (6) A medicine container is obtained using the resin composition     according to (1). -   (7) The medicine container according to (6) may be used for a     medicine that includes a protein.

Advantageous Effects of the Invention

The medicine container that is formed using the resin composition according to the invention can remarkably suppress protein adsorption on the container when the medicine includes a protein.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Norbornene-based Polymer

The norbornene-based polymer used in the invention is obtained by polymerizing a norbornene-based monomer (i.e., a monomer that includes a norbornene skeleton). The norbornene-based polymer is roughly classified into a norbornene-based polymer that is obtained by ring-opening polymerization, and a norbornene-based polymer that is obtained by addition polymerization.

Examples of the norbornene-based polymer that is obtained by ring-opening polymerization include a ring-opening polymer of a norbornene-based monomer, a ring-opening polymer of a norbornene-based monomer and an additional monomer that can undergo ring-opening copolymerization with the norbornene-based monomer, hydrogenated products thereof, and the like. Examples of the norbornene-based polymer that is obtained by addition polymerization include an addition polymer of a norbornene-based monomer, an addition polymer of a norbornene-based monomer and an additional monomer that can undergo addition copolymerization with the norbornene-based monomer, and the like. Among these, a hydrogenated ring-opening polymer of a norbornene-based monomer is preferable from the viewpoint of heat resistance, mechanical strength, water vapor barrier properties, and the like.

Examples of the norbornene-based monomer include bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene (trivial name: norbornene), a derivative thereof (i.e., in which the ring is substituted with a substituent), tricyclo [4.3.0^(1,6).1^(2,5)]deca-3,7-diene (trivial name: dicyclopentadiene), a derivative thereof, 7,8-benzotricyclo[4.3.0.1^(2,5)]dec-3-ene (trivial name: methanotetrahydrofluorene or 1,4-methano-1,4,4a,9a-tetrahydrofluorene), a derivative thereof, tetracyclo[4.4.0.1^(2,5).1^(7,10)]dodec-3-ene (trivial name: tetracyclododecene), a derivative thereof, and the like.

Examples of a substituent include an alkyl group, an alkylene group, a vinyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, an alkylidene group, and the like. The norbornene-based monomer may include these substituents in combination. Specific examples of a substituted norbornene-based monomer include 8-methoxycarbonyltetracyclo[4.4.0.1^(2,5).1^(7,10)]dodec-3-ene, 8-methyl-8-methoxycarbonyltetracyclo[4.4.0.1^(2,5).1 ^(7,10)]dodec-3-ene, 8-ethylidenetetracyclo[4.4.0.1^(2,5).1^(7,10)]dodec-3-ene, and the like.

These norbornene-based monomers can be used either alone or in combination.

Examples of the additional monomer that can undergo ring-opening copolymerization with the norbornene-based monomer include a monocyclic cycloolefin-based monomer such as cyclohexene, cycloheptene, and cyclooctene, and the like.

These additional monomers that can undergo ring-opening copolymerization with the norbornene-based monomer may be used either alone or in combination. When subjecting the norbornene-based monomer and the additional monomer that can undergo ring-opening copolymerization with the norbornene-based monomer, to ring-opening copolymerization, the norbornene-based monomer and the additional monomer are appropriately selected so that the weight ratio of structural units derived from the norbornene-based monomer to structural units derived from the additional monomer in the resulting ring-opening copolymer is normally 70:30 to 99:1, preferably 80:20 to 99:1, and more preferably 90:10 to 99:1.

Examples of the additional monomer that can undergo addition copolymerization with the norbornene-based monomer include an α-olefin having 2 to 20 carbon atoms, such as ethylene, propylene, 1-butene, 1-pentene, and 1-hexene, and derivatives thereof; a cycloolefin such as cyclobutene, cyclopentene, cyclohexene, cyclooctene, and 3a,5,6,7a-tetrahydro-4,7-methano-1 H-indene, and derivatives thereof; a nonconjugated diene such as 1,4-hexadiene, 4-methyl.-1,4-hexadiene, 5-methyl-1,4-hexadiene, and 1,7-octadiene; and the like. Among these, an α-olefin is preferable, and ethylene is particularly preferable.

These additional monomers that can undergo addition copolymerization with the norbornene-based monomer may be used either alone or in combination. When subjecting the norbornene-based monomer and the additional monomer that can undergo addition copolymerization with the norbornene-based monomer, to addition copolymerization, the norbornene-based monomer and the additional monomer are appropriately selected so that the weight ratio of structural units derived from the norbornene-based monomer to structural units derived from the additional monomer in the resulting addition copolymer is normally 30:70 to 99:1, preferably 50:50 to 97:3, and more preferably 70:30 to 95:5.

The ring-opening polymer of the norbornene-based monomer, or the ring-opening polymer of the norbornene-based monomer and the additional monomer that can undergo ring-opening copolymerization with the norbornene-based monomer, may be obtained by polymerizing the monomer component(s) in the presence of a known ring-opening polymerization catalyst. Examples of the ring-opening polymerization catalyst include a catalyst that includes a halide, a nitrate, or an acetylacetone compound of a metal such as ruthenium or osmium, and a reducing agent, and a catalyst that includes a halide or an acetylacetone compound of a metal such as titanium, zirconium, tungsten, or molybdenum, and an organoaluminum compound.

The hydrogenated ring-opening polymer of the norbornene-based monomer may be obtained by adding a known hydrogenation catalyst that includes a transition metal such as nickel or palladium to a solution of the ring-opening polymer, and hydrogenating the carbon-carbon unsaturated bonds of the ring-opening polymer.

The addition polymer of the norbornene-based monomer, or the addition polymer of the norbornene-based monomer and the additional monomer that can undergo addition copolymerization with the norbornene-based monomer, may be obtained by polymerizing the monomer(s) in the presence of a known addition polymerization catalyst, such as a catalyst that includes a titanium compound, a zirconium compound, or a vanadium compound, and an organoaluminum compound.

Hydrogenated Styrene-based Thermoplastic Elastomer

The term “hydrogenated” used herein in connection with the hydrogenated styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer that is used in connection with the invention refers to a case where the styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer has been hydrogenated, or the hydrogenated styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer has been obtained by polymerizing a polymerizable monomer that includes one carbon-carbon double bond (e.g., butylene) (i.e., the styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer has been substantially hydrogenated).

The hydrogenated styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer used in the invention may be an aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene block copolymer (hereinafter referred to as “block copolymer (I)”) having a styrene content of 40 wt % or more, or a block copolymer that includes an aromatic vinyl compound-based polymer block and an isobutylene-based polymer block (hereinafter referred to as “block copolymer (II)”) having a styrene content of 15 wt % or more.

By using the block copolymer (I) and/or the block copolymer (II), the formed articles (medical drug container) that exhibits excellent impact resistance and low protein adsorption can be obtained.

Block Copolymer (I)

The block copolymer (I) includes an aromatic vinyl compound-based polymer in block (hard segment) (hereinafter referred to as “polymer block (a)”) and a conjugated diene polymer block (soft segment) (hereinafter referred to as “polymer block (b)”),in which the ratio (styrene content) of the aromatic vinyl compound-based polymer block in a whole polymer block is 40 wt % or more. The hydrogenated styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer (Al) exhibits vulcanized rubber-like properties at a low temperature, and exhibits fluidity when melted by heating.

A styrene content of the block copolymer (I) used in the invention is preferably 40 to 80 wt %, and more preferably 40 to 70 wt %, from the viewpoint of obtaining a medical drug container that exhibits excellent impact resistance and low protein adsorption.

Polymer Block (a)

The polymer block (a) includes structural units do ed from an aromatic vinyl compound as a main component.

The content of the structural units derived from an aromatic vinyl compound in the polymer block (a) is normally 90 wt % or more, preferably 95 wt % or more, and more preferably 99 wt % or more. If the content of the structural units derived from an aromatic vinyl compound in the polymer block (a) is too low, heat resistance of the resulting formed article may decrease.

The polymer block (a) may include the components other than the structural units derived from an aromatic vinyl compound. Examples of other components include structural units derived from a chain conjugated diene compound and/or structural units derived from other vinyl compound. The content of other components in the polymer block (a) is normally 10 wt % or less, preferably 5 wt % or less, and more preferably 1 wt % or less.

When the aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene block copolymer includes two or more polymer blocks (a), the plurality of the polymer blocks (a) may he identical or different.

Polymer Block (b)

The polymer block (b) includes structural units derived from a chain conjugated diene compound as a main component.

The content of the structural units derived from a chain conjugated diene compound in the polymer block (b) is normally 70 wt % or more, preferably 80 wt % or more, and more preferably 90 wt % or more. The content of the structural units derived from a chain conjugated diene compound in the polymer block (b) within the above range is preferable for providing flexibility to the resulting formed article.

The polymer block (b) may include the components other than the structural units derived from a chain conjugated diene compound. Examples of other components include structural units derived from an aromatic vinyl compound and/or structural units derived from other vinyl compound. The content of other components in the polymer block (b) is normally 30 wt % or less, preferably 20 wt % or less, and more preferably 10 wt % or less. if the content of the structural units derived from an aromatic vinyl compound in the polymer block (b) is too high, flexibility of the resulting formed article at a low temperature may decrease.

When the aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene block copolymer includes two or more polymer blocks (b), the plurality of the polymer blocks (b) may be identical or different.

Examples of the aromatic vinyl compound include styrene; styrenes having an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms as a substituent such as α-methylstyrene, 2-methylstyrene, 3-methylstyrene, 4-methylstyrene, 2,4-diisopropylstyrene, 2,4-dimethylstyrene, 4-t-butylstyrene, 5-t-butyl-2-methylstyrene, and the like; styrenes having a halogen atom as a substituent such as 4-chlorostyrene, dichlorostyrene, 4-monofluorostyrene; styrenes having an alkoxy group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms as a substituent such as 4-methoxystyrene; styrenes having an aryl group as a substituent such as 4-phenylstyrene; and vinyl naphthalenes such as 1-vinylnaphthalene, 2-vinylnaphthalene. Among these, an aromatic vinyl compound having no polar group such as styrene, styrenes having an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms as a substituent is preferable from the viewpoint of hygroscopicity, and styrene is particularly preferable from the viewpoint of industrial availability.

Examples of the chain conjugated diene compound include 1,3-butadiene, isoprene, 2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene, 1,3-pentadiene. Among these, chain conjugated diene compound having no polar group is preferable from the viewpoint of hygroscopicity, and 1,3-butadiene, isoprene is particularly preferable from the viewpoint of industrial availability.

Examples of other vinyl compound include a chain vinyl compound, cyclic vinyl compound, unsaturated cyclic acid anhydride, unsaturated imide compound, and the like. These compounds may include a substituent such as a nitrile group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, a hydroxycarbonyl group, and a halogen atom. Among these, the compound having no polar group such as chain olefin having 2 to 20 carbon atoms such as ethylene, propylene, 1-butene, 1-pentene, 1-hexene, 1-heptene, 1-octene, 1-nonene, 1-decene, 1-dodecene, 1-eicosene, 4-methyl- 1-pentene, 4,6-dimethyl-1-heptene; and cyclic olefin having 5 to 20 carbon atoms such as vinyl cyclohexane are preferable from the viewpoint of hygroscopicity, chain olefin having 2 to 20 carbon atoms is more preferable, and ethylene, propylene are particularly preferable.

Examples of the block copolymer (1) include a styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS), a styrene-ethylene/propylene-styrene block copolymer (SEPS), a partially hydrogenated styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene block copolymer (partially hydrogenated SEBS), a styrene-(ethylene-ethylene/propylene)-styrene block copolymer (SEEPS), and the like, which having a styrene content of 40 wt % or more. Among these, an aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene block copolymer in which the hydrogenation ratio of the conjugated diene moiety is substantially 100% and a styrene content is 40 wt % or more (e.g., styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS) and styrene-ethylene/propylene-styrene block copolymer (SEPS)) is preferable from the viewpoint of the transparency and the light resistance of the resin composition, and a styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS) having a styrene content of 40 wt % or more is particularly preferable.

The weight average molecular weight (Mw) of the block copolymer (1) is not particularly limited, but is preferably 40,000 to 1,000,000, more preferably 40,000 to 800,000, and particularly preferably 40,000 to 500,000, from the viewpoint of mechanical strength and transparency when the resin composition is used for a container.

When the block copolymer (I) that falls under hydrogenated styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer is used, the weight ratio of the norbornene-based polymer in the resin composition according to the invention is 50 to 99 wt %, preferably 60 to 95 wt %, and more preferably 70 to 90 wt %, and the weight ratio of the block copolymer (I) in the resin composition according to the invention is 1 to 50 wt %, preferably 5 to 40 wt %, and more preferably 10 to 30 wt %, taking account of mechanical strength and processability when the resin composition according to the invention is used for a container.

Block Copolymer (II)

The block copolymer (II) used in the invention includes a polymer block that mainly includes an aromatic vinyl compound (hereinafter referred to as “polymer block (c)”), and a polymer block that mainly includes isobutylene (hereinafter referred to as “polymer block (d)”), in which the ratio (styrene content) of the polymer block (c) in a total of the polymer block (c) and the polymer block (d) is 15 wt % or more.

Examples of the aromatic vinyl compound listed in the item of the polymer block (a) can be used as the aromatic vinyl compound. Among these, styrene, a-methylstyrene, and a mixture thereof are preferable, and styrene is particularly preferable, from the viewpoint of industrial availability and a glass transition temperature.

Also, the polymer block (d) includes a unit derived from isobutylene in a ratio of 60 wt % or more, and preferably 80 wt % or more.

The polymer block (c) and the polymer block (d) may be formed using an additional monomer (aromatic vinyl compound or isobutylene) as a copolymerization component, and may be formed using an additional cationically polymerizable monomer component. Examples of such a monomer component include an aliphatic olefin, a diene, a vinyl ether, a silane, vinylcarbazole, β-pinene, acenaphthylene, and the like. These monomer components may be used either alone or in combination.

Examples of an aliphatic olefin-based monomer include ethylene, propylene, 1-butene, 2-methyl-1-butene, 3-methyl-1-butene, pentene, hexene, cyclohexene, 4-methyl-1-pentene, vinylcyclohexane, octene, norbornene, and the like.

Examples of a diene-based monomer include butadiene, isoprene, hexadiene, cyclopentadiene, cyclohexadiene, dicyclopentadiene, divinylbenzene, ethylidenenorbornane, and the like.

Examples of a vinyl ether-based monomer include methyl vinyl ether, ethyl vinyl ether, (n- or isopropyl vinyl ether, (n-, sec-, tert-, or iso)butyl vinyl ether, methyl propenyl ether, ethyl propenyl ether, and the like.

Examples of a silane compound include vinyltrichlorosilane, vinylmethyldichlorosilane, vinyldimethylchlorosilane, vinyldimethylmethoxysilane, vinyltrimethylsilane, divinyldichlorosilane, divinyldimethoxysilane, divinyldimethylsilane, 1,3-divinyl-1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisiloxane, trivinylmethylsilane, γ-methacryloyloxypropyltrimethoxysilane, γ-methacryloyloxypropylmethyldimethoxysilane, and the like.

The structure of the block copolymer (II) is not particularly limited as long as the block copolymer includes the polymer block (e) and the polymer block (d). The block copolymer may be a block copolymer, a diblock copolymer, a triblock copolymer, a multi-block copolymer or the like that has a linear, branched, or star-like structure. It is preferable that the block copolymer that includes the aromatic vinyl compound-based polymer block and the isobutylene-based polymer block be a triblock copolymer consisting of “polymer block (c)-polymer block (d)-polymer block (c)” from the viewpoint of the balance between properties and formability (moldability). These block copolymers may be used either alone or in combination so that the desired properties and/or formability can be obtained.

The ratio of the polymer block (c) to the polymer block (d) is not particularly limited. The content (styrene content) of the polymer block in the block copolymer that includes the polymer block (c) and the polymer block (d) is normally 15 wt % or more, preferably 15 to 50 wt %, and more preferably more than 30 wt % and 35 wt % or less, from the viewpoint of flexibility, refractive index, and rubber elasticity.

The molecular weight of the block copolymer (II) is not particularly limited. It is preferable that the weight average molecular weight (Mw) of the block copolymer determined by GPC be 30,000 to 300,000, and more preferably 30,000 to 250,000, from the viewpoint of fluidity, formability (moldability), and rubber elasticity. If the weight average molecular weight (Mw) of the block copolymer is less than 30,000, the block copolymer may not exhibit sufficient mechanical properties. If the weight average molecular weight of the block copolymer exceeds 300,000, fluidity and processability may deteriorate. It is preferable that the ratio “weight average molecular weight (Mw)/number average molecular weight (Mn)” of the block copolymer that includes the polymer block (c) and the polymer block (d) be 1.4 or less from the vie point of processing stability.

The block copolymer (II) may be produced using an arbitrary method. For example, the block copolymer that includes the aromatic vinyl compound-based polymer block and the isobutylene-based polymer block is produced by polymerizing the monomer components in the presence of a compound represented by the following general formula.

(CR¹R²X)_(n)R³

wherein X is a substituent selected from a halogen atom, an alkoxy group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and an acyloxy group, R¹ and R² are independently a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, R³ is a monovalent or polyvalent aromatic hydrocarbon group or a monovalent or polyvalent aliphatic hydrocarbon group, and n is a natural number from 1 to 6.

The compound represented by the general formula functions as an initiator. It is considered that the compound represented by the general formula generates a carbocation in the presence of a Lewis acid or the like to initiate cationic polymerization.

Examples of the compound represented by the general formula used in connection with the invention include (1-chloro-1-methylethyl)benzene, 1,4-bis(-chloro-l-methylethyl)benzene, 1,3-bis(1-chloro-1-methylethyl)benzene, 1,3,5-tri s(1-chloro-1-methylethyl)benzene, 1,3-bis(1-chloro-1-methylethyl)-5-(t-butyl)benzene, and the like. Among these, bis(1-chloro-1-methylethyl)benzene (C₆H₄(C(CH₃)₂Cl)₂) and tris(1-chloro-1-methylethyl)benzene ((ClC(CH₃)₂)₃C₆H₃) are particularly preferable.

The block copolymer (II) may optionally be produced in the presence of a Lewis acid catalyst. The Lewis acid is not particularly limited as long as the Lewis acid can be used for cationic polymerization. Examples of a preferable Lewis acid include a metal halide such as TiCl₄, TiBr₄, BCl₃, BF₃, BF₃·OEt₂, SnCl₄, SbCl₅, SbF₅, WCl₆, TaCl₅, VCl₅, FeCl₃, ZnBr₂, AlCl₃, and AlBr₃; an organometal halide such as Et₂AlCl and EtAlCl₂; and the like. Among these, TiCl₄, BCl₃, and SnCl₄ are preferable from the viewpoint of high catalytic reactivity and industrial availability. The Lewis acid may be used in an arbitrary amount taking account of the polymerization properties of the monomers, the polymerization concentration, and the like.

The Lewis acid is normally used in an amount of 0.1 to 100 molar equivalents, and preferably 1 to 50 molar equivalents, based on the compound represented by the general formula.

The block copolymer (II) may optionally be produced in the presence of an electron donor component. It is considered that the electron donor component stabilizes a carbocation during cationic polymerization. It is possible to produce a polymer having a narrow molecular weight distribution and a controlled structure by adding the electron donor. The electron donor component is not particularly limited. Examples of the electron donor component include a pyridine, an amine, an amide, a sulfoxide, an ester, a metal compound that includes an oxygen atom that is bonded to a metal atom, and the like.

The block copolymer (II) may optionally be polymerized in an organic solvent. The organic solvent to be used is not particularly limited as long as the organic solvent substantially does not hinder cationic polymerization. Specific examples of the organic solvent include halogenated hydrocarbons such as dichloromethane, 1,2-dichloroethane chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, and chlorobenzene; aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, xylene, ethylbenzene, propylbenzene, and butylbenzene; a linear aliphatic hydrocarbon such as pentane, hexane, heptane, octane, nonane, and decane; a branched aliphatic hydrocarbon such as 2-methylpropane, 2-methylbutane, 2,3,3-trimethylpentane, and 2,2,5-trimethylhexane; a cyclic aliphatic hydrocarbon such as cyclopentane, cyclohexane, methylcyclohexane, and ethylcyclohexane; a paraffin oil obtained by hydrogenating and purifying a petroleum fraction; and the like.

These solvents may be used either alone or in combination taking account of the balance between the polymerization properties of the monomers used to produce the block copolymer (II), the solubility of the resulting polymer, and the like.

The solvent is used in such an amount that the concentration of the polymer is 1 to 50 wt %, and preferably 5 to 35 wt %, taking account of the viscosity of the resulting polymer solution, and ease of heat removal.

When polymerizing the components, the components are mixed with cooling (e.g., −100° C. or more and less than 0° C.). The temperature range is particularly preferably −80 to −30° C. taking account of the balance between the energy cost and polymerization stability.

In the resin composition according to the invention, when the block copolymer (II) that falls under hydrogenated styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer is used, the block copolymer (II) is used in a ratio of 20 to 50 wt % based on 50 to 80 wt % of the norbornen.e-based polymer, preferably in an amount of 1 to 50 parts by weight, and more preferably 3 to 25 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the norbornene-based polymer. If the amount of the block copolymer (II) is too small, impact resistance may be insufficient. If the amount of the block copolymer (II) is too large, the balance between rigidity and impact resistance may deteriorate.

Additive

The resin composition according to the invention may optionally include various additives (other additives) that are normally used in the resin industry either alone or in combination.

The additive is not particularly limited as long as the additive is normally used for a thermoplastic resin material. Examples of the additive include an antioxidant, a UV absorber, a light stabilizer, a near-infrared absorber, a colorant (e.g., dye and pigment), a plasticizer, an antistatic agent, a fluorescent whitening agent, a resin, and the like.

Examples of the antioxidant include a phenol-based antioxidant, a phosphorus-based antioxidant, a sulfur-based antioxidant, and the like. Among these, a phenol-based antioxidant is preferable, and an alkyl-substituted phenol-based antioxidant is particularly preferable. These antioxidants may be used either alone or in combination. The content of the antioxidant in the resin composition is appropriately selected so that the object of the invention is not impaired. The content of the antioxidant in the resin composition is normally 0.001 to 5 wt %, preferably 0.01 to 3 wt %, and more preferably 0.1 to 1 wt %, based on the resin composition (=100 wt %) that includes the norbornene-based polymer and the hydrogenated styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer.

Examples of the UV absorber include a benzotriazole-based UV absorber, a benzoate-based UV absorber, a benzophenone-based UV absorber, an acrylate-based UV absorber, a metal complex-based UV absorber, and the like.

Examples of the light stabilizer include a hindered amine-based light stabilizer.

Examples of the near-infrared absorber include a cyanine-based near-infrared absorber; a pyrylium-based infrared absorber; a squarylium-based near-infrared absorber; a croconium-based infrared absorber; an azulenium-based near-infrared absorber; a phthalocyanine-based near-infrared absorber; a dithiol metal complex based near-infrared absorber; a naphthoquinone-based near-infrared absorber; an anthraquinone-based near-infrared absorber; an indophenol-based near-infrared absorber; an azide-based near-infrared absorber; and the like.

The dye is not particularly limited as long as the dye is uniformly dispersed or dissolved in the resin composition. An oil-soluble dye (C.I. solvent dye) is normally used as the dye due to excellent compatibility with the resin composition used in connection with the invention. Specific examples of the oil-soluble dye include C.I. solvent dyes described in Color Index Vol. 3 (published by The Society of Dyers and Colourists), and the like.

Examples of the pigment include a diarylide-based pigment, an azo lake-based pigment, a condensed azo-based pigment, a benzimidazolone-based pigment, a quinacridone-based pigment, a perylene-based pigment, an anthraquinone-based. pigment, and the like.

Examples of the plasticizer include a phosphoric acid triester-based plasticizer, phthalic acid ester-based plasticizer, a fatty acid (monobasic acid) ester-based plasticizer, a dihydric alcohol ester-based plasticizer, an oxy acid ester-based plasticizer, a hydrocarbon polymer of which the main skeleton mainly has a C—C or C=C structure and which is liquid at room temperature (25° C.), and the like. Among these, a phosphoric acid triester-based plasticizer is preferable, and tricresyl phosphate and trixylyl phosphate are particularly preferable.

Examples of the antistatic agent include a long-chain alkyl alcohol such as stearyl alcohol and behenyl alcohol, a fatty acid ester of a polyhydric alcohol, such as glycerol monostearate and pentaerythritol monostearate, and the like. Among these, stearyl alcohol and behenyl alcohol are particularly preferable.

Examples of the resin used as the additive include a polyolefin resin to provide flexibility, and the like.

The content of these additives in the resin composition is appropriately selected so that the object of the invention is not impaired. The content of these additives in the resin composition is normally 0.001 to 5 wt %, and preferably 0.01 to 1 wt %, based on the total content (−100 wt %) of the norbomene-based polymer and the hydrogenated styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer.

Method for Producing Resin Composition

The resin composition according to the invention can be produced by optionally mixing the above components. The mixing method is not particularly limited as long as the additive is sufficiently dispersed in the polymer. For example, the components may be mixed using a method that kneads (mixes) the resin in a molten state using a mixer, a single-screw kneader, a twin-screw kneader, a roll, a Brabender, an extruder, or the like, a method that dissolves and disperses the components in an appropriate solvent, and removes the solvent using a coagulation method, a casting method, or a direct drying method, or the like.

When using a twin-screw kneader, the kneaded product is normally extruded in the shape of a strand (rod) in a molten state, cut to an appropriate length using a strand cutter, and pelletized.

The content of a low-molecular-weight component having a molecular weight of 1000 or less in the whole resin composition according to the invention is 3 wt % or less. By using the resin composition according to the invention, a medical drug container that shows low protein adsorption and ensures excellent medicine storage stability can be obtained. According to the invention, from the viewpoint of obtaining a medical drug container that shows low protein adsorption and ensures excellent medicine storage stability, the content of a low-molecular-weight component having a molecular weight of 1000 or less is preferably 2 wt % or less, and more preferably 1 wt % or less.

The molecular weight of a low-molecular-weight component normally refers to the polyisoprene-equivalent molecular weight determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) using cyclohexane as an eluant (solvent).

The resin composition in which the content of a low-molecular-weight component having a molecular weight of 1000 or less is 3 wt % or less may be obtained by (α) evaporative removal of a low-molecular-weight component from the norbornene-based polymer (hereinafter referred to as “direct drying method”), (β) reprecipitation of the norbornene-based polymer using a good solvent and a poor solvent (hereinafter referred to as “reprecipitation method”), or (γ) preliminary drying of the resin composition (normally pellets of the resin composition) before forming. These methods may be used either alone or in combination. Note that it is preferable to use the method (γ) since it is possible to also remove a low-molecular-weight component derived from the styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer that is mixed with the norbornene-based polymer.

(α) Direct Drying Method

The direct drying method heats the reaction solution after synthesizing the norbornene-based polymer under reduced pressure (i.e., a pressure equal to or lower than normal pressure (herein refers to the pressure that is not particularly reduced or pressurized, and is normally equivalent to an atmospheric pressure)) to evaporate and remove the solvent and a low-molecular-weight component included in the norbornene-based polymer.

When using the direct drying method, the heating temperature when heating the organic solvent solution (e.g., reaction solution) is normally 270 to 340° C., and preferably 275 to 330° C. If the heating temperature is too low, it may be difficult to efficiently remove a low-molecular-weight component included in the norbornene-based polymer, and the residual solvent. If the heating temperature is too high, the norbornene-based polymer may be decomposed due to heat.

The direct drying method is normally implemented under a reduced pressure of 26.7 kPa or less, preferably 13.4 kPa or less, and more preferably 6.7 kPa or less.

When applying the direct drying method, the drying operation may be performed while changing the heating temperature and the pressure (reduced pressure) stepwise or continuously. It is particularly preferable to change the heating temperature and/or the pressure (reduced pressure) in two steps.

The two-step drying operation can be easily performed by utilizing two or more solvent removal devices that can implement heating under reduced pressure. It is preferable to use a scraping thin film evaporator or a centrifugal thin film evaporator as the solvent removal device. Examples of a preferable two-step drying method include a drying method that heats the organic solvent solution (e.g., reaction solution) after synthesizing the norbornene-based polymer at 270 to 340° C. under a reduced pressure of 6.7 to 26.7 kPa to remove the organic solvent and a low-molecular-weight component (first step), and heats the organic solvent solution at 270 to 340° C. under a reduced pressure of less than 6.7 kPa to remove the remaining low-molecular-weight component (second step).

When using the direct drying method, it is preferable to add an antioxidant to the organic solvent solution (e.g., reaction solution) after synthesizing the norbornene-based polymer, and then heat the mixture under reduced pressure in order to suppress decomposition of the norbornene-based polymer. The antioxidant is normally used in an amount of 0.01 to 1 part by weight, preferably 0.02 to 0.8 parts by weight, and more preferably 0.03 to 0.5 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the norbornene-based polymer. If the amount of the antioxidant is too large, the antioxidant or a decomposition product of the antioxidant may serve as a low-molecular-weight component, and generate gas.

(β) Reprecipitation Method

The reprecipitation method uses a principle of dissolving the norbornene-based polymer in a good solvent, and then effecting precipitation using a poor solvent to remove a low-molecular-weight component dissolved in the poor solvent. Examples of the good solvent to be used include an aromatic solvent such as benzene, toluene, and xylene; a cellosolve-based solvent such as methyl cellosolve, ethyl cellosolve, and 1-methoxy-2-propanol; an ester-based solvent such as methyl lactate and ethyl lactate; a cycloolefin-based solvent such as cyclohexane, ethylcyclohexane, and 1,2-dimethylcyclohexane; a halogen-containing solvent such as 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoro-1-propanol, methylene chloride, and chloroform; an ether-based solvent such as tetrahydrofuran and dioxane; and the like,

Examples of the poor solvent to be used include an alcohol-based solvent such as methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, and 1-butanol; a ketone-based solvent such as diacetone alcohol, acetone, 2-butanone, and methyl isobutyl ketone; and the like.

When using the reprecipitation method, the norbornene-based polymer is dissolved in the good solvent at a temperature of 5 to 50° C. (preferably 10 to 30° C.) and a concentration of 0.1 to 30 wt % (preferably 0.5 to 15 wt %), and adds the solution to the poor solvent (in a 5 to 50-fold weight (preferably 10 to 30-fold weight) based on the solution) at a temperature of 5 to 50° C. (preferably 10 to 30° C.) to reprecipitate the norbornene-based polymer. The reprecipitation operation may be performed only once, or may optionally be repeated about 2 to 5 times.

This operation makes it possible to remove a low-molecular-weight component from the norbornene-based polymer.

(γ) Preliminary Drying Before Forming

The norbornene-based polymer used in connection with the invention may be subjected to preliminary drying before extrusion or forming (molding) in order to prevent production of a low-molecular-weight component due to decomposition. It is effective to perform preliminary drying at a high temperature for a long time. However, if the preliminary drying temperature is higher than the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the resin, pellets of the norbornene-based polymer may be thermally fused, and the effect is saturated within several hours. Therefore, preferable conditions for preliminary drying are (Tg-30) to (Tg-5)° C. (more preferably (Tg-20) to (Tg-5)° C.) for 2 to 24 hours (more preferably 4 to 12 hours).

Note that production of a low-molecular-weight component due to decomposition can be prevented when preliminary drying is performed under vacuum, or performed under normal pressure in an air or nitrogen atmosphere.

It is preferable that the norbornene-based polymer used in connection with the invention is extruded or formed in an atmosphere having a low oxygen concentration, in particular perform a resin melting step in an atmosphere having a low oxygen concentration, to prevent production of a low-molecular-weight component due to decomposition of the norbornene-based polymer.

Note that the term “atmosphere having a low oxygen concentration” used herein refers to an atmosphere having a partial pressure of oxygen of normally 100 hPa or less, preferably 50 hPa or less, and more preferably 20 hPa or less.

The atmosphere having a low oxygen concentration may be achieved by setting the device to reduced pressure, or replacing the air inside the device with an inert gas or the like.

For example, as a method for setting the device to reduced pressure, nitrogen may be introduced into the raw material-feeding hopper of a processing device, or the hopper may be set to reduced pressure.

Examples of the inert gas used for the latter method of using the inert gas include argon, nitrogen, helium, neon, krypton, xenon, and the like. It is preferable to use nitrogen gas from the viewpoint of availability.

Forming of Resin Composition

A formed article may be obtained by forming the resin composition of the invention, but the obtained formed article is not particularly limited. By using the resin composition according to the invention, a formed article that exhibits excellent impact resistance and low protein adsorption can be obtained. Therefore, the resin composition according to the invention is suitably used as a forming material for a medical drug container described below.

The resin composition according to the invention may be formed (molded) using an arbitrary forming method as long as the resin composition can be formed. Examples of the forming method include an injection molding method, an extrusion blow molding method, an injection blow molding method, a two-step blow molding method, a multilayer blow molding method, a connection blow molding method, a stretch blow molding method, a rotational molding method, a vacuum molding method, an extrusion method, a calendering method, a solution casting method, a hot pressing method, an inflation method, and the like.

When forming a film using the resin composition according to the invention, a solvent casting method (solution casting method), a melt extrusion method, or the like may be used. It is preferable to use a melt extrusion method from the viewpoint of the production cost.

Medicine Container

Specific examples of the medicine container include a container for a liquid, powder, or solid medicine, such as a wide-mouth bottle, a narrow-mouth bottle, a vial, a prefillable syringe, a prefilled syringe, a vaccine prefilled syringe, an anticancer drug prefilled syringe, a needleless syringe, an ampule, a press through package, an infusion bag, a drop container, and an eye-drop container, a sampling test tube for blood examination, a blood collection tube, a sample container such as a specimen container, and the like.

In particular, a vial or a prefilled syringe that is formed of the resin composition according to the invention shows low protein adsorption, and ensures excellent medicine storage stability. Therefore, the resin composition according to the invention is suitably used for such a formed article.

EXAMPLES

The invention is further described below by way of examples and comparative examples. Note that the invention is not limited to the following examples.

In the examples and comparative examples, the unit “parts” refers to “parts by weight”, and the unit “%” refers to “wt %”, unless otherwise indicated.

The properties were measured as described below.

-   (1) The weight average molecular weight (Mw) and the number average     molecular weight (Mn) of the norbornene-based polymer were measured     as standard is polyisoprene-equivalent values by gel permeation     chromatography (GPC) using cyclohexane as an eluant. -   (2) The hydrogenation ratio was determined by ¹H-NMR spectroscopy. -   (3) The glass transition temperature was measured in accordance with     MS K 7121 using a differential scanning calorimeter (“DSC6220SII”     manufactured by Nano Technology Inc.). Specifically, the glass     transition temperature was measured while the measurement target was     heated to a temperature higher than the glass transition temperature     by 30° C. or more, cooled to room temperature at a cooling rate of     −10° C./min, and then heated at a heating rate of 10° C./min. -   (4) The content of a low-molecular-weight component was determined     by calculating a peak area (M1) corresponding to a molecular weight     of 1000 or more and a peak area (M2) corresponding to a molecular     weight of 1000 or less when the molecular weight of the resin     composition was measured by GPC using cyclohexane as an eluant (see     (1)), and calculating “M2/(M1+M1)×100”. -   (5) The protein adsorption was determined by casting a 1%     cyclohexane solution onto a sensor chip, volatilizing the solvent by     heating at 70° C. for 2 hours in a nitrogen atmosphere to form a     cast film having a thickness of 1 μm, and causing an insulin aqueous     solution (concentration: 3.53 mg/ml, pH: 7.8) to flow over the cast     film for 300 seconds using an intermolecular interaction measurement     device (“MI-Affinity (registered trademark)” manufactured by Konica     Minolta Opto, Inc.) to measure an increase in thickness due to     adsorption (feed rate: 20 μl/min, measurement temperature: 25° C.). -   (6) The impact resistance was determined by performing an Ezod     impact test in accordance with JIS K 7110 using a specimen     (thickness: 4.0 mm, length: 80 mm, width: 10.0 mm) (provided with a     notch) prepared by injection molding.

Production Example 1

A reactor was charged with 500 parts of dehydrated cyclohexane, 0.82 parts of 1-hexene, 0.15 parts of dibutyl ether, and 0.30 parts of triisobutylaluminum at room temperature (25° C.) under a nitrogen atmosphere to obtain a mixture. 76 parts of tricyclo[4.3.0.1^(2,5)]deca-3,7-diene (trivial name: dicyclopentadiene, hereinafter referred to as “DCP”), 70 parts of 8-methyltetracyclo[4.4.0.1^(2,5).1^(7,10)]dodec-3-ene (hereinafter referred to as “TCD”), 54 parts of tetracyclo[7.4.0.0^(2,7).1^(10,13)]trideca-2,4,6,11-tetraene (hereinafter referred to as “MTF”), and 80 parts of tungsten hexachloride (0.7% toluene solution) were continuously added to the mixture in parallel over 2 hours while maintaining the temperature of the mixture at 45° C. to effect polymerization. 1.06 parts of butyl glycidyl ether and 0.52 parts of isopropyl alcohol were added to the polymer solution to inactivate the polymerization catalyst and terminate the polymerization reaction. The resulting reaction solution including a ring-opening polymer was subjected to gas chromatography. The polymerization conversion ratio of each monomer was 99.5%.

270 parts of cyclohexane was added to 100 parts of the reaction solution including a ring-opening polymer. After the addition of 5 parts of a nickel catalyst supported on a diatomaceous earth carrier (nickel ratio: 58 wt %, pore volume: 0.25 ml/g, specific surface area 180 m²/g) as a hydrogenation catalyst, the mixture was heated to 200° C. with stirring under a hydrogen pressure of 5 MPa, and reacted for 8 hours to obtain a reaction solution including a hydrogenated DCP/TCD/MTF ring-opening copolymer. After removing the hydrogenation catalyst by filtration of the reaction solution, the solvent (cyclohexane) and other volatile components were removed from the solution (filtrate) at 270° C. under a pressure of 1 kPa or less using a cylindrical evaporator (manufactured by Hitachi Ltd.), and the hydrogenated ring-opening polymer was obtained. The obtained hydrogenated ring-opening polymer was extruded in the shape of a strand in a molten state, and the extruded product was cooled, and pelletized to obtain pellets. The Mw of the pelletized hydrogenated ring-opening copolymer (norbornene-based polymer A) was 34,000. The hydrogenation ratio of the carbon-carbon bonds of the polymer was 99.8%. The polymer had a Tg of 136° C. and a specific gravity of 1.01 g/cm³.

Production Example 2

A reaction vessel charged with 258 1 of cyclohexane was charged with. bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene (hereinafter referred to as “NB”) (120 kg) at room temperature (25° C.) under a nitrogen stream, and the whole mixture was stirred for 5 minutes. Triisobutylaluminum was added to the mixture so that the concentration in the system was 1.0 ml/l. Ethylene was circulated through the system with stirring under normal pressure to replace the atmosphere inside the system with an ethylene atmosphere. The internal temperature of the autoclave was maintained at 70° C., and the inside of the autoclave was pressurized with ethylene so that the internal pressure (gauge pressure) was 6 kg/cm². After stirring the mixture for 10 minutes, 0.4 1 of a toluene solution including isopropylidene(cyclopentadienyl)indenyl)zirconium dichloride and methylalumoxane was added to the system to initiate a copolymerization reaction between ethylene and NB. The concentration of isopropylidene(cyclopentadienyl)(indenyl)zirconium dichloride in the system was 0.018 mmol/l, and the concentration of methylalumoxane in the system was 8.0 mmol/l.

During polymerization, the temperature inside the system was maintained at 70° C., and the internal pressure (gauge pressure) of the system was maintained at 6 kg/cm² by continuously feeding ethylene to the system. When 60 minutes had elapsed, the polymerization reaction was terminated by adding isopropyl alcohol. After depressurization, the polymer solution was removed. Then, the polymer solution was brought into contact with an aqueous solution prepared by adding 5 1 of concentrated hydrochloric acid to 1 m³ of water in a volume ratio of 1:1 with vigorous stirring. The catalyst residue was thus transferred to the aqueous phase. After allowing the mixture to stand, the aqueous phase was removed (separated), and the polymer solution phase was washed twice with water to purify and separate the polymer solution phase.

The polymer solution was brought into contact with acetone (3-fold amount) with vigorous stirring to precipitate a copolymer. The solid (copolymer) was filtered off, and sufficiently washed with acetone. In order to extract unreacted monomer present in the polymer, the solid was added to acetone at a concentration of 40 kg/m³, and an extraction operation was performed at 60° C. for 2 hours. After completion of the extraction operation, the solid was filtered off, and dried at 130° C. for 12 hours under a pressure of 350 mmHg while circulating nitrogen to obtain an ethylene-NB copolymer (norbornene-based polymer B).

Production Example 3

Production of Block Copolymer (C) that includes Aromatic Vinyl Compound-based Polymer Block and Isobutylene-based Polymer Block

The atmosphere inside a polymerization vessel (2 1 separable flask) was replaced with nitrogen. 456.4 ml of n-hexane (dried using a molecular sieve) and 656.3 ml of butyl chloride (dried using a molecular sieve) were added to the polymerization vessel using a syringe, and the polymerization vessel was cooled in a dry ice/methanol bath (−70° C.). A liquid-feeding tube made of Teflon (registered trademark) was connected to a pressure-resistant glass liquid collection tube provided with three-way stopcock and containing 235 ml (2910 mmol) of an isobutylene monomer, and the isobutylene monomer was fed to the polymerization vessel under nitrogen pressure. 0.733 g (3.2 mmol) of bis(1-Chloro-1-methylethyl)benzene and 1.30 g (14 mmol) of α-picoline were added to the polymerization vessel. 8.67 ml (79.1 mmol) of titanium tetrachloride was then added to the polymerization vessel to initiate polymerization. The mixture was stirred at the same temperature for 3 hours from the initiation of polymerization, and a mixed solution of 78 g (750 mmol) of a styrene monomer, 14.1 ml of n-hexane, and 20.4 ml of butyl chloride that was cooled to −70° C. in advance was added to the polymerization vessel, and the whole mixture was stirred for 2.5 hours. After the reaction had ended, a large quantity of water was added to the reaction solution to terminate the reaction.

The reaction solution was washed twice with water, and the solvent was evaporated. The resulting polymer was dried at 60° C. for 24 hours under vacuum to obtain a block copolymer (C) having an Mw of 160,000.

The resulting styrene content was 33 wt %.

Production Example 4

Production of Block Copolymer (D) that includes Aromatic Vinyl Compound-based Polymer Block and Isobutylene-based Polymer Block

The atmosphere inside a polymerization vessel (2 1 separable flask) was replaced with nitrogen. 456.1 ml of n-hexane (dried using a molecular sieve) and 656.5 ml of butyl chloride (dried using a molecular sieve) were added to the polymerization vessel using a syringe, and the polymerization vessel was cooled in a dry ice/methanol bath (−70° C.). A liquid-feeding tube made of polytetrafluoroethylene was connected to a pressure-resistant glass liquid collection tube provided with three-way stopcock and containing 196 ml (2425 mmol) of an isobutylene monomer, and the isobutylene is monomer was fed to the polymerization vessel under nitrogen pressure. 0.647 g (2.8 mmol) of bis(1-chloro-1-methylethyl)benzene and 1.22 g (14 mmol) of N,N-dimethylacetamide were added to the polymerization vessel. 8.67 ml (79.1 mmol) of titanium tetrachloride was then added to the polymerization vessel to initiate polymerization. The mixture was stirred at the same temperature for 1.5 hours from the initiation of polymerization, and a mixed solution of 68 g (650 mmol) of a styrene monomer, 23.9 ml of n-hexane, and 34.3 ml of butyl chloride that was cooled to 70° C. in advance was added to the polymerization vessel. After the addition of the mixed solution, the whole mixture was further stirred for 45 minutes. After the reaction had ended, about 40 ml of methanol was added to the reaction solution to terminate the reaction.

After evaporating the solvent from the reaction solution, a residual solid was dissolved in toluene, and the toluene solution was washed twice with water. Then, the toluene solution was added to a large quantity of methanol to precipitate a polymer. The resulting polymer was dried at 60° C. for 24 hours under vacuum to obtain a block copolymer (D) having an Mw of 100,000.

The resulting styrene content was 33 wt %.

Example 1

99 parts of the norbornene-based polymer A obtained in Production Example 1, 1 part of an aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene block copolymer (E) (“Tuftec (registered trademark) H1043” manufactured by Asahi Kasei Chemicals Corporation: styrene content 67 wt %) (hydrogenated styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer), and 0.5 parts of pentaerythritoltetrakis[3-(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate] (antioxidant) were mixed using a blender, and the mixture was dried at 75° C. for 6 hours under vacuum (0.1 hPa). The mixture was kneaded and extruded using a twin-screw kneader (in which the atmosphere inside the hopper was replaced with nitrogen) (cylinder temperature: 245° C.), and pelletized to obtain a resin composition 1. The content of a low-molecular-weight component in the pellets of the resin composition 1 was measured.

The pellets were dissolved in cyclohexane to prepare a 1% solution, and a cast film having a thickness of 1 μm was formed using the solution. The protein adsorption test was performed using the resulting cast film.

The pellets were injection-molded at a resin temperature of 280° C. and a mold temperature of 75° C. to prepare a specimen (thickness 4.0 mm, length: 80 mm, width: 10.0 mm). The impact resistance was measured using the resulting specimen.

Example 2

A resin composition 2 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that 99 parts of the norbornene-based polymer A was changed to 95 parts of the norbornene-based polymer A, and the content of the aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene block copolymer (E) (hydrogenated styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer) was changed from 1 part to 5 parts.

Example 3

A resin composition 3 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that 99 parts of the norbornene-based polymer A was changed to 90 parts of the norbornene-based polymer A, and the content of the aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene block copolymer (E) (hydrogenated styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer) was changed from 1 part to 10 parts. The mold temperature was set to 60° C. when molding the resin composition 3.

Example 4

A resin composition 4 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that 99 parts of the norbornene-based polymer A was changed to 80 parts of the norbornene-based polymer A, and the content of the aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene block copolymer (E) (hydrogenated styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer) was changed from 1 part to 20 parts. The mold temperature was set to 50° C. when molding the resin composition 4.

Example 5

A resin composition 5 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that 99 parts of the norbornene-based polymer A was changed to 50 parts of the norbornene-based polymer A, and the content of the aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene block copolymer (E) (hydrogenated styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer) was changed from 1 part to 50 parts. The mold temperature was set to 50° C. when molding the resin composition 5.

Example 6

A resin composition6 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that 99 parts of the norbornene-based polymer A was changed to 70 parts of the norbornene-based polymer B obtained in Production Example 2, and the content of the aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene block copolymer (E) (hydrogenated styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer) was changed from 1 part to 30 parts. The mold temperature was set to 50° C. when molding the resin composition 6.

Example 7

A resin composition 7 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that 80 parts of the norbornene-based polymer A and 20 parts of the aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene block copolymer (F) (“Tuftec (registered trademark) H1051” manufactured by Asahi Kasei Chemicals Corporation: styrene content 43 wt %) (hydrogenated styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer) were used. The mold temperature was set to 50° C. when molding the resin composition 7.

Example 8

A resin composition 8 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that 50 parts of the norbornene-based polymer A and 50 parts of the aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene block copolymer (F) (“Tuftec (registered trademark) H1051” manufactured by Asahi Kasei Chemicals Corporation: styrene content 43 wt %) (hydrogenated styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer) were used. The mold temperature was set to 50° C. when molding the resin composition 8.

Comparative Example 1

A resin composition it was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene block copolymer (E) (hydrogenated styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer) was not used.

Comparative Example 2

A resin composition 2r was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that 99 parts of the norbornene-based polymer A was changed to 30 parts of the norbornene-based polymer A, and the content of the aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene block copolymer (E) (hydrogenated styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer) was changed from 1 part to 70 parts. The mold temperature was set to 30° C. when molding the resin composition 2r.

Comparative Example 3

A resin composition 3r was obtained in the same manner as in Example 3, except that vacuum drying was not performed, the atmosphere inside the hopper was not replaced with nitrogen, and the cylinder temperature was set to 300° C.

Comparative Example 4

A resin composition 4r was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that vacuum drying was not performed, and the atmosphere inside the hopper was not replaced with nitrogen.

Comparative Example 5

A resin composition 5r was obtained in the same manner as in Example 2, except that vacuum drying was not performed, and the atmosphere inside the hopper was not replaced with nitrogen.

Comparative Example 6

A resin composition 6r was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that 99 parts of the norbornene-based polymer A was changed to 80 parts of the norbornene-based polymer A, and 1 part of the aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene block copolymer (E) (hydrogenated styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer) was changed to 20 parts of the aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene block copolymer (G) (“Tuftec (registered trademark) H1041” manufactured by Asahi Kasei Chemicals Corporation: styrene content 30 wt %), The mold temperature was set to 50° C. when molding the resin composition 6r.

Comparative Example 7

A resin composition 7r was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that 99 parts of the norbornene-based polymer A was changed to 50 parts of the norbornene-based polymer A, and 1 part of the aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene block copolymer (E) (hydrogenated styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer) was changed to 50 parts of the aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene block copolymer (G) (“Tuftec (registered trademark) H1041” manufactured by Asahi Kasei Chemicals Corporation: styrene content 30 wt %). The mold temperature was set to 50° C. when molding the resin composition 7r.

Comparative Example 8

A resin composition 8r was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that 99 parts of the norbornene-based polymer A was changed to 80 parts of the norbornene-based polymer A, and 1 part of the aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene block copolymer (E) (hydrogenated styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer)was changed to 20 parts of the aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene block copolymer (H) (“Tuftec (registered trademark) H1042” manufactured by Asahi Kasei. Chemicals Corporation: styrene content 20 wt %), The mold temperature was set to 50° C. when molding the resin composition 8r.

Comparative Example 9

A resin composition 9r was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that 99 parts of the norbornene-based polymer A was changed to 50 parts of the norbornene-based polymer A, and 1 part of the aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene block copolymer (E) (hydrogenated styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer) was changed to 50 parts of the aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene block copolymer (H) (“Tuftec (registered trademark) H1042” manufactured by Asahi Kasei Chemicals Corporation: styrene content 20 wt %). The mold temperature was set to 50° C. when molding the resin composition 9r.

Tables 1 and 2 show the results obtained in Examples 1 to 8 and Comparative Examples 1 to 9.

TABLE 1 Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Example 7 Example 8 Resin composition 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Vacuum drying Performed Performed Performed Performed Performed Performed Performed Performed Norbornene-based A 99 95 90 80 50 — 80 50 polymer (parts) B — — — — — 70 — — Aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene 1 5 10 20 50 30 — — block copolymer (E) (hydrogenated styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer) (parts) Aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene — — — — — — 20 50 block copolymer (F) (hydrogenated styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer) (parts) Aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene — — — — — — — — block copolymer (G) (hydrogenated styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer) (parts) Aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene — — — — — — — — block polymer (H) (hydrogenated styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer) (parts) Content(%) of low-molecular- 0.5 0.8 1.2 1.3 1.3 2.1 1.3 1.4 weight component Protein adsorption (μm) 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.4 0.5 Izod impact strength (J/m) 240 390 450 520 600 350 570 630

TABLE 2 Com- Com- Com- Com- Com- Com- Com- Com- Com- parative parative parative parative parative parative parative parative parative example 1 example 2 example 3 example 4 example 5 example 6 example 7 example 8 example 9 Resin composition 1r 2r 3r 4r 5r 6r 7r 8r 9r Vacuum drying Performed Performed Not Not Not Performed Performed Not Not performed performed performed performed performed Norbornene-based A 100 30 90 99 95 80 50 80 50 polymer (parts) B — — — — — — — — — Aromatic vinyl-conjugated 0 70 10 1 5 — — — — diene block copolymer (E) (hydrogenated styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer) (parts) Aromatic vinyl-conjugated — — — — — — — — — diene block copolymer (F) (hydrogenated styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer) (parts) Aromatic vinyl-conjugated — — — — — 20 50 — — diene block copolymer (G) (hydrogenated styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer) (parts) Aromatic vinyl-conjugated — — — — — — — 20 50 diene block copolymer (H) (hydrogenated styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer) (parts) Content(%) of low-molecular- 9.3 1.5 3.4 3.0 3.1 1.2 1.6 1.2 1.6 weight component Protein adsorption (μm) 0.2 0.7 0.9 0.7 0.8 0.7 0.8 0.8 0.9 Izod impact strength (J/m) 40 630 450 240 380 600 640 630 670

Example 9

99 parts of the norbornene-based polymer A obtained in Production Example 1, 1 part of the block copolymer (C) (styrene content of 33 wt %) including an aromatic vinyl compound-based polymer block and an isobutylene-based polymer block, and 0.5 parts of pentaerythritoltetrakis[3-(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate] (antioxidant) were mixed using a blender, and the mixture was dried at 75° C. for 6 hours under vacuum (0.1 hPa). The mixture was kneaded and extruded using a twin-screw kneader Which the atmosphere inside the hopper was replaced with nitrogen) (cylinder temperature: 245° C.), and pelletized to obtain a resin composition 9. The content of a low-molecular-weight component in the pellets of the resin composition 9 was measured.

The pellets were dissolved in cyclohexane to prepare a 1% solution, and a cast film having a thickness of 1 μm was formed using the solution. The protein adsorption test was performed using the resulting cast film.

The pellets were injection-molded at a resin temperature of 280° C. and a mold temperature of 75° C. to prepare a specimen (thickness 4.0 mm, length: 80 mm, width: 10.0 mm). The impact resistance was measured using the resulting specimen.

Example 10

A resin composition 10 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 9, except that 95 parts of the norbornene-based polymer A and 5 parts of the block copolymer (C) including an aromatic vinyl compound-based polymer block and an isobutylene-based polymer block were used.

Example 11

A resin composition 11 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 9, except that 90 parts of the norbornene-based polymer A and 10 parts of the block copolymer (C) including an aromatic vinyl compound-based polymer block and an isobutylene-based polymer block were used. The mold temperature was set to 60° C. when molding the resin composition 11.

Example 12

A resin composition 12 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 9, except that 80 parts of the norbornene-based polymer A and 20 parts of the block copolymer (C) including an aromatic vinyl compound-based polymer block and an isobutylene-based polymer block were used. The mold temperature was set to 50° C. when molding the resin composition 12.

Example 13

A resin composition 13 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 9, except that 50 parts of the norbornene-based polymer A and 50 parts of the block copolymer (C) including an aromatic vinyl compound-based polymer block and an isobutylene-based polymer block were used. The mold temperature was set to 50° C. when molding the resin composition 13.

Example 14

A resin composition 14 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 9, except that 90 parts of the norbornene-based polymer A and 10 parts of the block copolymer (D) including an aromatic vinyl compound-based polymer block and an isobutylene-based polymer block were used. The mold temperature was set to 60° C. when molding the resin composition 14.

Example 15

A resin composition 15 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 9, except that 50 parts of the norbornene-based polymer A and 50 parts of the block copolymer (D) including an aromatic vinyl compound-based polymer block and an isobutylene-based polymer block were used. The mold temperature was set to 50° C. when molding the resin composition 15:

Example 16

A resin composition 16 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 9, except that 90 parts of the norbornene-based polymer B obtained in Production Example 2 and 10 parts of the block copolymer (C) including an aromatic vinyl compound-based polymer block and an isobutylene-based polymer block were used. The mold temperature was set to 50° C. when molding the resin composition 16.

Comparative Example 10

A resin composition 10r was obtained in the same manner as in Example 11, except that 35 parts of the norbornene-based polymer A and 65 parts of the block copolymer (C) including an aromatic vinyl compound-based polymer block and an isobutylene-based polymer block were used. The mold temperature was set to 30° C. when molding the resin composition 10r.

Comparative Example 11

A resin composition 11r was obtained in the same manner as in Example 11, except that vacuum drying was not performed, the atmosphere inside the hopper was not replaced with nitrogen, and the cylinder temperature was set to 300° C.

Comparative Example 12

A resin composition 12r was obtained in the same manner as in Example 9, except that vacuum drying was not performed, and the atmosphere inside the hopper was not replaced with nitrogen.

Comparative Example 13

A resin composition 13r was obtained in the same manner as in Example 10, except that vacuum drying was not performed, and the atmosphere inside the hopper was not replaced with nitrogen.

Tables 3 and 4 show the results obtained in Examples 11 to 16 and Comparative Examples 10 to 13.

TABLE 3 Examples 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Resin composition 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Vacuum drying Performed Performed Performed Performed Performed Performed Performed Performed Norbornene-based A 99 95 90 80 50 90 50 — polymer (parts) B — — — — — — — 90 Block copolymer (C) including 1 5 10 20 50 — — 10 aromatic vinyl compound-based polymer block and isobutylene- based polymer block (parts) Block copolymer (D) including — — — — — 10 50 — aromatic vinyl compound-based polymer block and isobutylene- based polymer block (parts) Content(%) of low-molecular- 0.3 0.7 1.3 1.5 1.9 1.1 1.8 1.5 weight component Protein adsorption (μ m) 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.5 0.2 0.5 0.5 Izod impact strength (J/m) 220 380 460 510 600 450 550 250

TABLE 4 Comparative examples 10 11 12 13 Resin composition 10r 11r 12r 13r Vacuum drying Performed Not performed Not performed Not performed Norbornene-based A 35 90 99 95 polymer B — — — — (parts) Block copolymer (C) including 65 10 1 5 aromatic vinyl compound-based polymer block and isobutylene- based polymer block (parts) Block copolymer (D) including — — — — aromatic vinyl compound-based polymer block and isobutylene- based polymer block (parts) Content(%) of low-molecular-weight 1.8 3.8 3.1 3.3 component Protein adsorption (μm) 0.7 1.0 0.8 0.9 Izod impact strength (J/m) 650 470 220 360

The following were confirmed from the results shown in Tables 1 to 4.

The formed articles obtained using the resin composition according to the invention exhibited excellent impact resistance and low protein adsorption (Examples 1 to 16).

The impact resistance was inferior in the formed article using the resin composition that includes only the norbornene-based polymer (Comparative Example 1). In the formed article using the resin composition in which the ratio of the aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene block copolymer (hydrogenated styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer) was high, protein adsorption increased (Comparative Example 2). In the formed article using the resin composition in which the content of a low-molecular-weight component was high since vacuum drying was not performed, and decomposition occurred during twin-screw kneading, protein adsorption increased (Comparative Examples 3 to 5).

In the formed article using the resin composition that includes the block copolymer (1) (hydrogenated styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer) in which a styrene content is less than 40 wt %, protein adsorption increased (Comparative Examples 6 to 9).

In the formed article using the resin composition in which the ratio of the block copolymer including an aromatic vinyl compound-based polymer block and an isobutylene-based polymer block was high, protein adsorption increased (Comparative Example 6).

Also, in the formed article using the resin composition in which the content of a low-molecular-weight component was high since vacuum drying was not performed, and decomposition occurred during twin-screw kneading, protein adsorption increased (Comparative Examples 3 to 5, 8, 9, and 11 to 13).

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The medicine container that is formed using the resin composition according to the invention can remarkably suppress protein adsorption on the container when the medicine includes a protein. Therefore, the resin composition according to the invention is useful for medicine container applications. 

1. A resin composition comprising 50 to 80 wt % of a norbornene-based polymer, and 20 to 50 wt % of a hydrogenated styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer, a content of a low-molecular-weight component having a molecular weight of 1000 or less in the resin composition being 3 wt % or less, wherein the hydrogenated styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer is an aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene block copolymer having a styrene content of 40 wt % or more, or a block copolymer that includes an aromatic vinyl compound-based polymer block and an isobutylene-based polymer block having a styrene content of 15 wt % or more.
 2. The resin composition according to claim 1, wherein the norbornene-based polymer is a hydrogenated norbornene-based ring-opening polymer.
 3. The resin composition according to claim 1, wherein the aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene block copolymer having a styrene content of 40 wt % or more is the hydrogenated styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer of at least one hydrogenated styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer selected from a group consisting of a styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene block copolymer, a styrene-ethylene/propylene-styrene block copolymer, a partially hydrogenated styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene block copolymer, and a styrene-(ethylene-ethylene/propylene)-styrene block copolymer.
 4. The resin composition according to claim 3, wherein the aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene block copolymer having a styrene content of 40 wt % or more is a styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene block copolymer.
 5. The resin composition according to claim 1, wherein the content of a low-molecular-weight component having a molecular weight of 1000 or less in the resin composition has been adjusted to 3 wt % or less using one method, or a plurality of methods, among (I) evaporative removal of a low-molecular-weight component from the norbornene-based polymer, (II) reprecipitation of the norbornene-based polymer using a good solvent and a poor solvent, and (III) preliminary drying of the resin composition before forming.
 6. A medicine container obtained using the resin composition according to claim
 1. 7. The medicine container according to claim 6, the medicine container being used for a medicine that includes a protein. 